Marouane Fellaini says David Moyes is like a father figure to him, and hopes to repay his faith by coming good at Manchester United after failing to live up to expectations since his 27.5 million-pound summer move.
Marouane Fellaini has so far failed to recreate his Everton goalscoring form for Manchester United.

Moyes bought Fellaini to former club Everton from Standard Liege for 15 million pounds in September 2008, and then prised him from Goodison Park after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford last summer.

The midfielder scored 12 goals for the Toffees under Moyes last season, but has so far been a disappointment to Red Devils fans and is yet to find the back of the net for United.

It has been a similarly depressing story for the club, who sit 18 points off Premier League leaders Chelsea in sixth and look set to miss out on qualifying for next season's Champions League.

But Fellaini believes any manager would have struggled to continue Ferguson's phenomenal success after 26 years at the United helm, and insists Moyes will come good if he is given time.

"I could never say something bad about him [Moyes] because he has done everything for me," The Times reports Fellaini as saying at a promotional event in Glasgow.

"He is like a father. When I arrived at Everton I learnt a lot from him and I want to repay him.

"It is difficult for every manager, I think, in the first year. However, United have had 26 years with just the same manager, so the change is not easy for the supporters, for everybody.

"But give him time and I think he [Moyes] will be great for the club."

United face Liverpool on Sunday, with their opponents flying high in second place, 11 points clear of Moyes' side.

However, Fellaini believes Moyes' side showed signs of improvement in their last Premier League outing at West Brom and have no reason to fear Brendan Rodgers' side.

"We won our last game 3-0 against West Brom and played well," Fellaini continued. "We are more confident now. On Sunday, we are playing against Liverpool, one of the biggest teams in England, but we have a good team as well."